Relationship between blood metabolites (ß-hydroxybutirate, NEFA, cholesterol and urea) and nutritional balance in three dairy goat herds under confinement

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess some blood metabolites as indicators of nutritional balance in dairy goats under intensive conditions. Three dairy herds were selected and 21 goats chosen in each. Goats were separated into three groups of seven animals each according to their productive stage: pre-partum (PP), 3-6 weeks of lactation (T1) and 16-20 weeks of lactation (T2). Blood samples were obtained during the first milking of the day and ß- hydroxybutirate (BHB), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), cholesterol, and urea were determined by colorimetric methods. Body condition score (BCS) and milk production were also registered. To establish protein (g/day) and metabolic energy (Mcal/day) content of the ration fed, a proximal chemical analysis was performed. Nutrient requirements of goats were determined by NRC. In the three herds, significant high values of NEFA (P<0.05) were coincident with a non -significant increase in milk production (P<0.05) and in one herd with a decrease in BCS (P<0.05), which suggests fat mobilization. Urea concentration was between 10.0 ± 1.5 and 16.2 ± 1.5 mmol/L, higher than that reported by other authors. Every herd and productive stage presented imbalances between the protein and energy contents of the ration supplied, with high protein and low energy intake, which was shown in the blood metabolites analyzed. Accordingly, selected blood metabolites allowed the identification of nutritional imbalances in the studied herds.